Johor Bahru Food Guide: Restaurants and Other Food Spots You Should Try in West (Peninsular) Malaysia’s Southernmost City

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This article is part of the Johor Bahru Food Trip 2025 series. Check out the installments in this series: Johor Bahru Food Guide | Alley & Daisy Cafe (European-Inspired Cafe) | Fa Ge Lok Lok (Deep-Fried Skewers) | Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory (Banana Cakes and Filled Buns) | IT Roo Cafe (Hainanese Chicken Chop) | WW Laksa House

For other Johor Bahru articles, click here.

Back in 2018, I visited Malaysia for the first time. But I didn’t go to its capital, Kuala Lumpur. Instead, I went to Johor Bahru (JB), which is the most southernmost city in west Malaysia (officially known as Peninsular Malaysia). It’s the northern neighbor of Singapore.

While tourists flock here mainly for Legoland Malaysia (book your tickets here), JB is a wonderful place to do a food trip. The city is just full of amazing (and cheaper, compared to SG) food spots!

After seven years, I finally returned to JB, this time with my wife and a few friends. As usual, we did a food trip and tried some spots that I went to for the first time. So I’m making an updated Johor Bahru Food Guide! To know more about every spot, just click on the provided link (if available).

Intermission: Are you planning a Johor Bahru trip soon? Can’t decide what activities to do yet? Then check out the activities in Klook!

Here are the restaurants and other food spots you should try in JB:

LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Fa Ge Lok Lok (Deep-Fried Skewers)

Literally “to dip”, Lok-lok food experience is like hotpot or steamboat except that the items are on skewers. But JB brings lok-lok to another level by deep-frying the skewers. One spot that does it (and does it really well) is the food truck Fa Ge Lok Lok.

While the skewers are generally delicious, there are a few standouts: Bacon-wrapped sausages, broccoli, intestines, pork belly, and wood-ear mushrooms.

Address: Jln Sri Pelangi 3, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Daily, 7:30PM-4AM | Contact No.: +60 16-716 4612

IT Roo Cafe (Hainanese Chicken Chop)

Founded in 1961, IT Roo Cafe is known for their Hainanese Chicken Chop. To the uninitiated, this dish was created by immigrants from Hainan (China) who worked as cooks for British and Peranakan (Chinese-Malay) families. These Hainanese cooks learned Western recipes and techniques, and adapted to the local palette. As a result of this fusion, many Hainanese-style Western dishes were created, including the chicken chop.

Both fried and grilled versions of IT Roo cafe are tender and juicy, and both mushroom gravy and black pepper sauce complement the chicken well. IT Roo Cafe really lives up to its tagline: “The Best Chicken Chop in Town”.

IT Roo Cafe’s Hainanese Chicken Chop (photo taken in 2018)

This is my favorite food spot in all of Johor Bahru. IT Roo’s food is so good that I went there twice during my first visit!

Address: 17 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Daily, 11AM-8:30PM | Contact No.: +60 7222-7780 | Facebook

Kam Long Ah Zai (Fish Head Curry)

Fish Head Curry is a popular dish in Malaysia and Singapore. It’s a mix of Chinese (fish head) and Indian (curry) influences. Kam Long Ah Zai is famous for this dish.

The fish head is reasonably meaty and the broth is spicy, creamy, and a little sweet. There’s also a play of textures: Softness from the beancurd skin and crunch from the vegetables, which are cabbage, okra, and string beans, if I remember correctly. The dish is perfect with rice!

Kam Long Ah Zai’s Fish Head Curry (photo taken in 2018)

Address: 74 Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Daily, 8AM-4PM | Contact No.: +60 10-667 8383 | Facebook

Pisang Goreng Mawar (Banana Fritters)

Pisang Goreng Mawar specializes on it namesake Malaysian snack, Pisang Goreng or banana fritters.

It’s crispy in the outside and the batter crisps add to the texture. It’s also served with a savory sauce. However, I’m not a big fan of the combination; I’m already happy with the fritters alone. And it’s so good I had to bring home 10 more pieces of it!

Pisang Goreng Mawar’sTeh or Tea (upper left) and *Pisang Goreng* (lower right). Photo taken in 2018.

Aside from pisang goreng, they also serve an assortment of Malay dishes and snacks.

Address: Jalan Kolam Air 1, Kampung Nong Chik, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Saturday-Thursday, 11AM-7PM | Contact No.: +60 11-6176 3365

Restoran Hua Mui (Hainanese Chicken Chop and Other Hainanese Food)

Established in 1946, Restoran Hua Mui is one of the oldest traditional Hainanese coffee shops in JB. It was founded by Chiang Kia Boon, who came from Hainan.

Like IT Roo Cafe, Restoran Hua Mui also specializes in Hainanese chicken chop. In fact, they claim to be the original (in JB, I suppose).

Restoran Hua Mui’s Hainanese Chicken Chop (photo taken in 2018)

Aside from chicken chop, they also serve other kopitiam staples, such as toast, kopi (local coffee), and teh (local tea).

For Restoran Hua Mui branches and operating hours, check out their Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as their Website

Restoran Sekee (Kway Teow Soup)

For over 80 years, Restoran Sekee has been serving Kway Teow Soup, a soup dish made of flat rice noodle (kway teow).

The broth is porky because of all the different pig parts in it. There’s heart, liver, minced meat, and cracklings. Since the noodles is made of rice, it feels like eating pho.

Restoran Sekee’s *Kway Teow* Soup (photo taken in 2018)

I’ve been to the restaurant’s old location (the photo above). But I learned that they already relocated. Fortunately, it’s just a stone’s throw away—across the previous location (see the address below for the updated location).

Address: 49C Jalan Segget, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8:30AM-2PM

Restoran Ya Wang (Herbal Roasted Duck and Cantonese Roast Meats)

Restoran Ya Wang specializes in Herbal Roasted Duck and Cantonese roast meats. In fact, they proudly claim to be the consultants of Dian Xiao Er, a popular chain of restaurants in Singapore also specializing in herbal roasted duck (check out my review here).

At Restoran Ya Wang (photo taken in 2018)

Honestly, there’s really nothing spectacular with the Cantonese meats in this place. I’m sure that there are better ones in other places. But you can never go wrong with roast meats, especially when it’s very, very affordable. My entire meal (see photo below), including 2 drinks, only costs MYR25 back in 2018!

My Meal at Restoran Ya Wang (photo taken in 2018)

Address: 44 Jalan Segget, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Thursday-Tuesday, 8AM-6PM | Contact No.: +60 7-224 8624

Warung Roti Canai Bukit Chagar

A Roti Canai is a Mamak- (Indian Muslim) influenced flatbread that’s normally served with a curry or dhal for dipping. The best one in JB is found at Warung Roti Canai Bukit Chagar, which is named after its location.

Their roti canai amazing! It’s crispy in the outside and doughy/chewy in the inside. It’s available in 2 forms: Plain or with egg. I got both but I like the plain one better. Dip it in the curry sauce and eat it with kopi or teh tarik (pulled tea), and it becomes an awesome breakfast!

Address: 394 Jalan Tengku Azizah, Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Daily, 7-11:30AM

WW Laksa House

WW (Water Works) Laksa House is an institution in JB. It was started in 1978 by the late Choo Ah Moi, a Singaporean who ran the business with her Johorean husband, Ang Keng Kue. Now, it’s being run by the next generations.

The hole-in-the-wall has a simple menu with only three noodle dishes: Laksa, Dry Mee, and Mee Soup.

Left: Laksa; Upper Right: Dry *Mee*; Lower Right: *Mee* Soup

The laksa has a flavorful and stay-in-the-mouth spicy broth.

Address: 36A1, Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Kolam Air, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Thursday-Tuesday, 8:30AM-3:30PM | Contact No.: +60 12-703 2263 | Facebook | Instagram

CAFES, DESSERT SHOPS, AND OTHER SPOTS

Alley & Daisy Cafe

Alley & Daisy Cafe is a European-inspired cafe near the Johor Bahru City Square. Its first branch is in Eco Botanic, while the second one is in Jalan Trus, where we went.

They have good coffee, great desserts, and a charming European vibe.

Eco Botanic Branch Address: 15 Jalan Eko Botani, 3/7 Taman Eko Botani, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: 9:30AM-9:30PM | Contact No.: +60 12-737 6225

Jalan Trus Branch Address: 128 Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Daily, 8:30AM-5:30PM | Contact No.: +60 12-737 6225

Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory (Banana Cakes and Filled Buns)

Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory has been around since 1919 and currently owned by Lim Meng Chin. The business was only selling French and sandwich loaves back in 2003, and was on the brink of bankruptcy. But Lim’s son, Lim Toh Sian, thought of baking banana cakes and filled buns. This idea saved the business. Today, Malaysians and Singaporeans alike queue for its bestselling banana cakes.

I’m used to banana bread that is dense and dry. But Hiap Joo’s version is different because it’s fluffy and moist. In fact, it’s the fluffiest (and for me, the best) banana cake (they call it cake instead of bread) I have ever tried!

Address: 13 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Daily, 7:30AM-5PM | Contact No.: +60 7-223 1703

Kedai Minuman Kok Yow Yong (Herbal Teas)

This kedai minuman (literally “drink shop”) has been specializing in house-made warm herbal teas for more than 100 years.

Kedai Minuman Kok Yow Yong (photo taken in 2018)

I tried their cold Chrysanthemum Tea, which is refreshing in the JB heat.

Address: 1 Jalan Pasar, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9AM-12:30AM; Saturday, 9AM-7:30PM

What food spot in Johor Bahru should we visit next? Comment below!

Don’t forget to book your activities at Klook!